Richard Silver

Owner, Richard Silver Photo

USA

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO COME ON REMOTE YEAR?

I actually found "The Remote Experience" first on Instagram. The reason for choosing Remote Year was the depth of experience and commitment of one full year. The lifestyle of being Remote is something of the way I've been living for the past few years. Remote Year was a chance for me to explore the world with so many interesting like minded people.

DESCRIBE YOUR REMOTE YEAR EXPERIENCE IN 3 WORDS.

Living my lifestyle.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON FOR THE YEAR?

My original goal was to have companies follow me on my travels through my social media and website. The reaction from the companies I reached out to were all the same, show me what you have once you do it. So that's what I'm striving to do. I'm building a body of work for the first four months, then I will present my story to magazines, blogs and any other connections I've made in the photography industry. I feel that my story this year is unique and others will be curious to find out more once they see my photos.

HOW DID YOU FIND YOURSELF A REMOTE ROLE?

I've been working in the photo industry for over a decade but once I quit my real estate job in New York and made photography my full-time job, my lifestyle just fit. I've been living in New York, but traveling about 4-5 international trips a year for the past six years.

WHERE HAVE YOU LIVED/TRAVELED TO PREVIOUSLY?

I've been a New Yorker my whole life. Brooklyn for the first 30 years and Manhattan for the past 25 years. I've traveled to over 80 countries so far and I've actually already been to 9 out of the 12 cities on my program's itinerary.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHERS LOOKING TO BRING TRAVEL INTO THEIR LIVES?

Just do it! Don't wait for more time and more money. I've been able to make the time and sometimes money wasn't right, but you can't put a price on experiences. Stop buying crap you don't need and travel more. You will be happier and much more interesting.

WHO DO YOU HOPE TO BE BY THE END OF REMOTE YEAR?

Still Richard Silver, but a smarter more educated traveler. The people I'm traveling with are showing me a new way to see the world - very different than the type of travel I've experienced previously. I'm hoping to acquire their knowledgeable and utilize them for future trips.

WHERE DOES YOUR PASSION FOR TRAVEL COME FROM?

I would say the search for history. I've always been a student of history and travel offers me a way to actually see the history I've read about and where it took place.

HOW DO YOU THINK TRAVELING WILL AFFECT YOUR CURRENT WORK?

This year is an opportunity to add to my portfolio of travel photography. This amount of travel in this year alone, would have taken me many more years to accomplish. I'm hoping this will get me in front of more travel industry people, which is my target audience.

YOUR FAVORITE DIGITAL NOMAD HACK?

I think as of now, Venmo. I had never heard of it and love the way we can now transfer money to each other without additional costs.

IF YOU HAD TO BE STUCK ON AN ISLAND WITH ANOTHER REMOTE, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

Tim Donahue, a Remote I am currently traveling with on the Meraki program. I know I would be laughing the entire time and he's like 6'6" so I know he could easily grab us some coconuts.

WHERE ARE YOU IN 30 YEARS?

Hopefully still alive! I'm 55, one of the oldest Remotes to do this.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING A DIGITAL NOMAD?

Having people to do side trips with. My intention was always to base myself in each city and travel from there. With so many people available with travel ideas, I absolutely love the new and different ways for me to see the world.